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HEAVY RAINS AT KEENELAND Training Activities Continue Despite Drop in Temperature. Track Benefited by Superb Drainage System Many Fashionable Stables Present for Coming Meeting. LEXINGTON, Ky., April 8 While rains during the past two days slowed up training at Keeneland Park, where the Kentucky spring racing season will start Thursday, April 14, the management was more than pleased that the heavy snows fell slightly north of the local vicinity. The temperature dropped several degrees this morning, but climbed during the day and, excepting those charges which arrived from the South, it failed to keep any of the horses from going through their regular routine. As for the winter-campaigned thoroughbreds, no training was attended for them and with forecast for moderate weather tomorrow the belated wintery blasts probably was a blessing in disguise. Although escaping the snow, this territory received intermittent heavy rains and but for the several carloads of sand which were placed on the racing strip recently it would be in a heavy condition. Benefited with a superb drainage system, the track proper should be, in the event of no more showers, in a good condition for Sunday training. ATTRACTED TID3 BEST. Nearly three decades ago, when the old Kentucky Association track was in its heyday and when the New York tracks were dark, due to the Hughes Act, the leading racing stables of America participated in Lex-ing racing. A check of the stables now at Keeneland reveals that the cradle of thoroughbred racing has returned to that same spot, and if favored by good weather, the picturesque course standing on the old Keen homestead, will set a record to be envied by other courses during the coming year. Each van and express car unload fashionable and renowned stables, and among the latest to arrive are some of the leading establishments. Although when the historic Kentucky Association course was at its ebbtide, Valdina and Milky Way Farms were unknown to racing, they since have commanded attention. The latter was the leading money winning establishment in 1936 and "the run ner-up in 1937, and Valdina was one of the leaders last year. At the time the old track was ready to close its doors, Calumet Farm was giving up harness racing in favor of the thoroughbreds and Charles T. Fisher was establishing his well appointed Dixiana nursery. Clyde Van Dusen prepared Sweep All for his second to Twenty Grand in the 1931 renewal of the Kentucky Derby over the old course and from then on, Dixiana moved into the spotlight which it has fought for since. ACHIEVES PROMINENCE. It required several years to organize the Keeneland Association and a couple of years to put the track where it justly belongs. Now it appears it has achieved that prominence. Those mentioned are only a few of the many big-named stables at Keeneland. At nearby farms are two of the leading candidates for the Kentucky Derby. They are to be under colors during the local season, and their efforts will determine whether they will start in the Churchill Downs classic. Menow, leading two-year-old of last year, and Bull Lea, which is training in fine style, are the two quartered at the farms, while the other Derby eligibles to be seen in local competition are Dickerville, Knee Deep, Congressman, Ball-o-Fire, Sir Ally, Lassator, Fairflax, Kings Heir, Ted Easy, Gallant Stroke, Dah He, Bourbon King, Copy Cat, The Chief, Mountain Ridge, Dr. Holmes, Pin Money and possibly several others to be sent over from Louisville. With Charles Stevenson and Alfred Robertson, two of the best known, and Earl Steffen, Porter Roberts, Jack Richard, Charles Landolt, Sterling Young, V. Nodarse, D. Castile, R. Conley, G. Fowler, R. Dotter, J. Cowley and others on hand, the riding colony should be well fortified. t
